Bayern Munich 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Hansi’s initial substitutions were weak. Making two defensive moves almost backfired when Frankfurt got one back. Luckily Bayern still managed to break through Frankfurt one last time.
• Watching Lucas Hernandez almost murder Hinteregger was very entertaining.
• Kingsley Coman had a good game despite two mishit shots. This is an exaggeration-free zone. People saying that we should sell him are jumping the gun.
• Subbing on Javi Martinez at the end was the right decision. His height and general aerial dominance paid off by keeping Frankfurt at bay on the numerous set pieces the team conceded. Hansi will want to work on closing games like these out.
• Bayern’s attack remains a wrecking ball thanks to Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski. It’ll be interesting to see how the team handles their absence against Gladbach this weekend.

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90+4’ — Bayern win 2-1.

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85’ — Defensive move by Hansi. Javi Martinez on for Goretzka.

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74’ — Lewandowski makes it 2-1. VAR reviews it and gives the goal, Davies was not offside.

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68’ — Poor defending by Bayern there. Frankfurt gets back in the game there, Lucas and Davies have a moment of miscommunication.

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61’ — Thiago and Hernandez come on for Perisic and Coman. Defensive sub by Flick.

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59’ — Game stopped to give Kimmich a minute to recover. Should’ve been a red for Kohr.

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Bayern are swarming Frankfurt. How more goals haven’t been scored is a mystery.
• Thomas Muller has been amazing yet again.
• Kingsley Coman lacks his finishing boots, but he’s been dangerous in other ways. Close to an assist several times.
• Robert Lewandowski hasn’t had as many clear cut chances as his colleagues, he should fix that in the second half.
• David Alaba is a midfielder at this point. You can’t convince me otherwise. He’s playing exactly like a deep lying playmaker, almost akin to Xabi Alonso. What a player, get his contract signed and sealed.

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13’ — GOAL! Perisic makes it 1-0. Great ball by Muller and a good play by Coman.

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Kickoff: The DFB Pokal semi-final is underway!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Gnabry is not starting, he’s out of the game due to a bruised back.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Germany’s premier (i.e. only) cup competition, the DFB Pokal, is back! Bayern Munich return to action against old enemies Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat us in the final a couple of years ago. Since then, we took their manager, won the double, sacked him, hired his assistant, and are on course for winning another league title. Isn’t that great?

Now this being a single legged knockout game, Hansi Flick will pull out all the stops to take Frankfurt down. That means putting Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller up top, with Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry on the wings. Thiago Alcantara has had injury issues coming into the game, so while he could start, it’s more likely that the coach goes with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka once again. And finally, Alphonso Davies, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, and Benjamin Pavard in the backline. That’s a solid lineup, and should get the Bavarians through to the final.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 2:45 pm EST

TV/streaming: YouTube, Fubo.tv, Find Your Country

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